We were sad to leave Nelson, but I think we're getting used to the emotion-- leaving amazing places after too short a time is our definite modus operandi these days. But soon that will not be the case, for a while at least; we headed from Nelson to Picton to take the Interislander ferry to Wellington, where we are hoping to live for the next few months.
Our drive to Picton was thrilling! In the sense that it was very picturesque, through rolling green fields and llama farms (!!!!!) and wineries. We stopped in Havelock (Have luck? Thanks!) for an intense lunch at The Mussel Pot. We got the mussel platter, which had steamed mussels, garlic grilled mussels, chili grilled mussels, fried mussels, marinated mussels, smoked mussels, and also fries. It was a true delight for any mussel lover, but perhaps a bit too much for me. Fortunately Jordan loved it and I gave him the mussels I couldn't stomach. The mussels in Havelock are apparently quite renowned-- they are Green Lipped mussels and are a delicacy! (Jordan says, the mussels are fantastic. Definitely not an overrated local phenomenon. Mussel fans will be impressed.)
On our way out of Havelock, we got onto the Queen Charlotte drive along the Marlborough Sounds. MAJESTIC. So majestic. Unnecessarily but gorgeously majestic. We decided then and there that we would try to kayak in the Sounds, although in the end the weather didn't cooperate with us.
However. We had pulled up, walked through the coffin door, and started checking in when suddenly everything started shaking. It was shaking because it was an EARTHQUAKE. We all rushed outside, but no further shakes were forthcoming (thank god). A few guests checked online and found that it was a 6.2 quake originating a few hundred kilometers south. Earthquakes are very common in New Zealand but also very traumatic, especially after what happened in Christchurch, so it was a very scary experience. But, I am loathe to admit, also kind of cool to experience, since everyone was safe. (Jordan says, although a 6.2 is a fairly high number on the scale for earthquakes, this quake was very deep, so the effect was greatly reduced. As a point of reference, the massively destructive Christchurch quakes were around 6 on the scale, but much closer to the surface.)
Peppa does NOT like getting picked up, at all. I shouldn't laugh because... poor pig... but just, oh my god.
We'd been looking to do a wine tasting somewhere too, and Blenheim is THE wine place. We drove part of the way back to Summer and Jase's place and visited the Cellar Door at Spy Valley Wines! It is named Spy Valley because the valley in which it's located is home to a spy base that is part of the Echelon agreement between the US, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada. They are the snoops who snoop on just about all communication, and it's relatively “legal”-- if the US can't spy on it's own citizens (LOL), New Zealand can and can share the information. Etc.
ANYWAY, Spy Valley Wines is located there, and they have embraced it! Their bottles even have morse code on them. :)
And then, back to the hostel for another low key evening before THE FERRY.
To Kara and I, heading back to the North Island represents a halfway point, and the start of a new phase of our travels. We spent the past 5/6 months on the South Island traveling almost nonstop, but our plan and hope for the North Island is to find work in Wellington and stay there longer-term. So, getting back on the ferry was both exciting and bittersweet. It's just absurd how fast the time has gone...
The passage was not too rough, even though it was raining and windy. The view was somewhat obstructed by mist, but still gorgeous. Jordan got to drive onto the boat (!!) and, when we arrived in Wellington, I drove us off.
We checked into our hostel, which was nice but cramped. We had the room to ourselves but initially couldn't figure out where the third bed was-- there was a bunk bed, and then, very very very very high above it was a third lofted bed. (Like 20 feet!) Ah, city life.
We spent the rest of the day wandering around Wellington and enjoying the city. It is really fun and beautiful, and very vibrant. I can't wait to live there. Please cross your fingers for us on the job front!!!
The next morning, we left Wellington and drove up to Taupo, where we'll spend one day before heading off to do the Tongariro Crossing. Excitement!